The 1997 PBA season was the 23rd season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Board of governors Executive committee Emilio P. Bernardino, Jr. (Commissioner) Nazario L. Avendaño (Chairman, representing San Miguel Beermen) Bernabe L. Navarro, Jr. (Vice-Chairman, representing Gordon's Gin Boars) Reynaldo G. Gamboa (Treasurer, representing Formula Shell Zoommasters) Teams Season highlights For the first time in league history, the top two picks of the Annual Rookie draft were born outside the Philippines, 6–9 Andrew John Seigle, and Nic Belasco were selected at numbers one and two, respectively. Purefoods Corned Beef Cowboys and Gordon's Gin Boars (formerly Ginebra) played in the All-Filipino Cup finals. This is only the second time the two rivals meet in a championship series. Gordon's playing coach Sonny Jaworski became the oldest player to play in a PBA finals series at age 51. Purefoods rookie coach Eric Altamirano won his first title as a head mentor. Gordon's Gin Boars ended a six-year title drought for the La Tondeña franchise by winning the Commissioner's Cup title over defending champion Alaska Milkmen. The Alaska Milkmen retains the Governors' Cup title for the fourth straight time and defend the only crown left in their grandslam conquest last season. Alaska has overtaken the defunct Presto franchise as the fourth winningest ballclub in the PBA. Alvin Patrimonio won his fourth MVP award, tying Ramon Fernandez for the most number of MVP awards. Opening ceremonies The muses for the participating teams are as follows: Champions All-Filipino Cup: Purefoods Corned Beef Cowboys Commissioner's Cup: Gordon's Gin Boars Governor's Cup: Alaska Milkmen Team with best win–loss percentage: Alaska Milkmen (35–25, .583) Best Team of the Year: Alaska Milkmen (2nd) All-Filipino Cup Elimination round Semifinal round Third place playoff |} Finals |} Finals MVP: Alvin Patrimonio (Purefoods) Best Player of the Conference: Nelson Asaytono (San Miguel) Commissioner's Cup Elimination round Semifinal round Third place playoff |} Finals |} Finals MVP: Marlou Aquino (Gordon's Gin) Best Player of the Conference: Kenneth Duremdes (Alaska) Best Import of the Conference: Jeff Ward (San Miguel) Governors' Cup Elimination round Playoffs Finals |} Finals MVP: Johnny Abarrientos (Alaska) Best Player of the Conference: Alvin Patrimonio (Purefoods) Best Import of the Conference: Larry Robinson (San Miguel) Individual awards Most Valuable Player: Alvin Patrimonio (Purefoods) Rookie of the Year: Andy Seigle (Mobiline) Sportsmanship Award: Freddie Abuda (San Miguel) Most Improved Player: Bong Ravena (Purefoods) Defensive Player of the Year: Freddie Abuda (San